Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Sarah Jane Lebrasse
Published on 2024-03-06 15:00:12
The iconic Echo Parakeet, also known as the Mauritian Parakeet, has reached a major milestone in its preservation journey with the recent release of seventeen individuals at Ebony Forest. This event is part of the ongoing efforts of the National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS) and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) to ensure the survival of this endemic species in Mauritius.
In the 1990s, the Echo Parakeet was on the brink of extinction, with only about twenty individuals remaining in the wild. Through intensive captive breeding and release programs spanning 15 years, the species was saved from immediate danger of extinction. Currently, between 700 and 800 individuals thrive in the Black River Gorges National Park, but challenges persist.
Threats such as introduced exotic predators, lack of breeding sites, habitat degradation, and diseases like Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) continue to pose risks to the Echo Parakeet. In order to diversify subpopulations and reduce pressure on the National Park, the MWF has implemented releases in areas such as the Ferney Valley in 2015 and Ebony Forest in 2018.
Ebony Forest, a key player in forest restoration since 2005 and in the conservation of Mauritius’ endemic wildlife since 2019, recently orchestrated the third release of the Echo Parakeet this year. The releases on February 20th and 27th saw the liberation of seventeen juveniles, marking a new chapter in the preservation of this iconic species.
The event was notably highlighted by the installation of radio tracking tags on ten juveniles, sponsored by HOLOHIL. These tags will allow researchers at Ebony Forest to track the movements and preferences of the birds, providing crucial data for future release strategies.
Despite successes thus far, the Echo Parakeet remains under constant threat from predators, habitat degradation, and diseases. Ebony Forest, in close collaboration with other conservation partners, remains committed to ensuring a sustainable future for this unique Mauritian species. Releases at Ebony Forest offer renewed hope for the Echo Parakeet, paving the way for more distant subpopulations and a better understanding of their behaviors for more effective conservation efforts.
Read the original article(French) on Le Mauricien
